If you’re new to therapy, welcome. You’re about to embark on an exciting journey. No matter where you’re coming from, or what you’re going through, a therapist will be able to help you figure out the path forward. This includes identifying healthy goals and developing a positive treatment plan.
There are many different types of therapists, so if you’ve never tried therapy before, it can be a little intimidating. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about finding the right fit.
Want a fast-track to finding the right therapist? Ravel Mental Health is coming soon.
What is a Therapist?
Let’s start with two important questions. Is a therapist the same thing as a psychologist? Not necessarily. But is a psychologist the same thing as a therapist? Yes, as a general rule.
That might sound really confusing, so let’s break it down a little.
“Therapist” is a very broad term that refers to a wide variety of mental health professionals. This includes psychologists, psychiatrists, marriage counselors, family counselors, career counselors, school counselors, social workers, and many more. It’s very general in nature.
Some of these professionals are very high level. Psychiatrists, for example, are medical doctors who can prescribe medication and help people with complex and chronic issues. This includes personality disorders, mood disorders, eating disorders, identity disorders, and more.
Other types may not require a degree, such as addiction counselors. Some states allow people with a high school diploma and a certification or field experience to become licensed to support people struggling with alcohol or drug use. This may rely more on life experience.
Therapists act in different roles for different people, so it’s important to do your research.
What is a Psychologist?
“Psychologist” is much more specific. It refers to someone who is an expert in human thought. Psychologists generally have a masters or doctorate degree, and they specialize in identifying and understanding patterns in the way we feel, behave, and learn. This is a very specific skillset. It includes clinical training in diagnosing and treating all types of mental health problems.
Psychologists use evidence-based treatments, which can include modalities such as talk therapy, art therapy, music therapy, and more. They will tailor their approach depending on the needs and preferences of each client, which means it’s a highly individualized approach. New research is coming out all the time, so psychologists are required to complete a certain number of hours of continuing education every year to keep their knowledge current and maintain their licenses.
Psychologists can work in many different settings, such as private practices, schools, hospitals, prisons, veterans’ centers, community clinics, businesses, nursing homes, and more.
It takes about seven years of education and training to become a psychologist, and at the end of all that training, psychologists become licensed by their states. The American Psychological Association estimates there are about 106,000 licensed psychologists working in the United States.
Is a Psychologist Better Than a Therapist?
Not necessarily. As we’ve already discussed, a psychologist is a type of therapist. Choosing the right type of therapist to suit your needs depends on several different factors.
Let’s start with the basic questions you need to ask yourself:
- Is mental health covered by your insurance? This is an important question. Read your policy to see if mental health is covered, and if so, who the preferred providers are in your area. This will go a long way towards narrowing your search for professional support.
- What mental health professionals are in your area? America is experiencing a mental health skills shortage, which means not everyone has the same access to this kind of help – particularly those living in rural areas. Sometimes, the best therapist is the one that’s right in front of you – if they can’t help you, they may be able to refer you to someone who can.
Once we’ve got that out of the way, we can be more particular:
- Is your issue general or specific? If it’s general, you may benefit from the diagnostic abilities of a psychologist. If you’re dealing with a specific problem, such as marriage troubles or the loss of a loved one, you could find a therapist who specializes in that type of problem.
- Is your issue medical or psychological? Anxiety and depression are great examples of this. If your issue stems from an imbalance in your brain chemistry, a psychiatrist will be able to prescribe the medication you need to get your health back on track. If your issue stems from something circumstantial, a therapist (such as a psychologist) will be able to help you figure out the cause and learn new coping strategies to better manage your mental health.
- Is there someone who suits your personality? Choosing a therapist is like choosing a doctor. They are all qualified to help, and they will all do their best to support you, but some will align better with you than others. That’s totally normal – it’s part of being human. It’s also totally okay to try a few different providers before making your choice. Therapy is personal, so it’s vital to find someone you like, who you are happy to see again.
How Can I Find a Therapist or Psychologist Near Me?
The hardest part about starting therapy is making the decision to ask for help. That’s incredibly courageous, especially if you’re going through some tough times, so we’re glad you’re here.
There are a couple of different ways you can connect with therapists in your area.
First, you may find it helpful to speak to your primary care provider. They should be able to provide you a list of certified local providers and may even write you a referral.
Second, if you’re comfortable doing so, you can ask around. Your family and friends may be able to recommend someone who has helped them, which may speed up your search. This also opens up the opportunity for people to share their experiences, which may help you.
Third, you can look online. Many therapists will have websites and a large number will have profiles on Google My Business. This means you can simply type “therapist near me” or “psychologist near me” into the search bar to see who is working nearby. Post-COVID, many providers are also offering telehealth consultations, which is also a great option to consider.
Fourth, you should keep an eye out for a website called Ravel Mental Health. It’s the brainchild of Nancy Cowden, a marriage and family therapist from California, who is launching a new go-to online booking platform for therapists. Ravel Mental Health allows you to search your local area and apply an extensive range of filters to ensure you find someone who is the right fit. Best of all, you can check their schedule and book an appointment on the spot, which removes the guesswork.
Starting Your Mental Health Journey
The fact that you’re here, and you’re still reading, is a really good sign. Mental health is just as important as physical health. As such, checking in to see a therapist is no different than checking in to see your doctor. You can ask for help when you’re experiencing an acute issue, but just as importantly, you can schedule an annual check-up to optimize your mental well-being.
This process is about putting one foot in front of the other for as long as it takes to feel well. The first step? Open Google, or pick up the phone, and start looking for therapists in your area.
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